Imo Govt To Offer Free Eye Screening For School Children

The Imo State Government has concluded arrangements to offer free eye screening for children in schools and various eye Care centres across the State.

The free eye screening by the government is through the Ministry of Health, Secondary and Tertiary Health Care Management in collaboration with it’s partners.

According to the Commissioner for Health, Secondary and Tertiary Health Care Management, Prof. Ubaka Chukwuemeka Michael, the free eye screening to be held on Friday October 11th was part of the activities mapped out by the State to commemorate this year’s World Sight Day.

He said that globally, every second Thursday of October annually was set aside to focus awareness on blindness and vision impairment.

Ubaka, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Austin Okeji, said the 2024 theme of the celebration, “Love Your Eyes, Children,” as highly relevant.

He noted that this theme is particularly timely as the Imo government is engaged in efforts to rebuild, reposition, and transform the eye health sector to ensure sustainable eye care delivery services within the state.

He said: “This year’s world Sight Day celebration is unique because attention is centred on children. Owing to the fact that vision is important in every child’s day to day activities both in school and at home. Vision loss is insidious, often robbing children of their sight.”